Volume :
3
Issue :
1
Abstract :
The biological application of nano-particles is a rapidly developing area of nanotechnology that raises new possibilities in the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases. Nano-medicine (the application of nanotechnology to health) raises high expectations for millions of patients for better, more efficient and affordable health care and has the potential of delivering promising solutions to many illnesses. The biological application of nano-particles is a rapidly developing area of nanotechnology that raises new promises in the diagnosis and treatment of various cancers. They can also facilitate important advances in detection, diagnosis, and treatment of human cancers and have led to a new discipline of nano-oncology. Nano-particles offer a new method of tumour targeting, already available in clinical practice, which can concomitantly improve the efficacy and decrease the toxicity of existing or novel anticancer agents. This makes them an ideal candidate for precisely targeting cancer cells. Molecular imaging has now considered as a high area in cancer diagnosis. Early assessment of nanotechnologies is also reported by Micro-array Analysis and Photodynamic Therapy implementation, which methodology can be extrapolated to other nanotechnologies in oncology. Current detection methods are restricted with respect to spectrum range, penetration depth, cell targeting, and signal/noise clarity. Focus on the development of quantum dots to improve detection has resulted in the development of dual- functioning beads comprised of quantum dots and iron oxide nanocrystals embedded in silica beads. These particles are able to target specific cells, due to the iron oxide crystals, and have high imaging qualities, due to the quantum dot component. Next- generation contrast agent using carbon nanospheres has been designed to enhance tumor imaging and advance the diagnosis and treatment of cancer by directing nanomolecules to specific biological targets, such as Glioblastoma tumor (one form of aggressive brain cancer). Nanopores (holes) allow DNA to pass through one strand at a time and hence DNA sequencing can be made more efficient. Thus the shape and electrical properties of each base on the strand can be monitored. By combining different sized quantum dots within a single bead, probes can be created that release a distinct spectrum of various colors and intensities of light, serving as a spectral bar code. By using quantum dots for simultaneous imaging of multiple proteins, the minute differences in the sub cellular niche of proteins in both normal and cancer cells can be visualized. If the breakthrough to assembler-based nanotechnology occurs, a huge additional arsenal of medical tools will become available and will include everything from artificial immune systems and cell-herding machines for rapid healing and tissue regeneration to cell-repair machines for cell surgery and gene therapy. The vast knowledge of cancer genomics and proteomics emerging as a result of the Human Genome Project is providing critically important details of how cancer develops, which in turn, creates new opportunities to attack the molecular underpinnings of cancer.